From Passion to Purpose: How Young Ballerz Basketball Began – and Where We’re Heading Next

Basketball has always played a big part in my life. I first started playing properly when I was around 11 years old, as I began senior school, and from that point on the game quickly became a passion of mine. What I didn’t realise at the time was how much I’d later wish I’d been able to start even earlier.

Years later, when our eldest son, Henry, decided he wanted to play basketball, that feeling came back. We started looking locally for grassroots basketball sessions for young children and quickly realised there was very little available. There were limited options or programmes that simply weren’t designed with younger children in mind.

Young Ballerz Basketball was created to give children the opportunity to enjoy basketball from an early age, in a safe, structured and positive environment. Our focus has always been on grassroots basketball, building confidence, learning fundamentals, and helping children fall in love with the game, regardless of their starting point or ability.

What began as a small local programme has grown far beyond what we ever imagined. Today, Young Ballerz Basketball runs sessions across multiple locations, welcoming hundreds of children each week. We work with families who may never have had access to organised basketball before, introducing the sport in a way that is inclusive, supportive and genuinely fun.

As demand continued to grow, we were faced with an important decision. Rather than expanding too quickly ourselves and risking quality, we chose to franchise the business in a way that protects the standards, values and community feel that Young Ballerz Basketball is known for. Late last year, we proudly launched Young Ballerz North Essex with our first franchisees, who are already doing a fantastic job building strong local basketball communities in their area.

Looking ahead, we’re excited to be launching Young Ballerz Mid Essex this April, starting in Chelmsford, with many more locations currently in the pipeline. Each new area is carefully planned to ensure that the same high standards of coaching, safeguarding and organisation are delivered consistently across every Young Ballerz Basketball session.

One thing that has become increasingly clear is that some of the most meaningful conversations about franchising come from people who already know and trust the brand. Parents who see what happens on court each week, who understand the impact basketball can have on children, and who value the sense of community that Young Ballerz Basketball creates.

At its heart, Young Ballerz Basketball has never just been about sport. It’s about giving children confidence, creating positive role models, and building something that families can feel proud to be part of. As we continue to grow across Essex and beyond, that mission remains exactly the same.

We’re incredibly grateful to every family who has supported us so far and trusted us with their children. The journey is only just getting started, and we’re excited about what the future holds for grassroots basketball, for our growing team, and for the communities we’ll continue to serve.